As the Society steps into a new era of exploration, we are transforming our public space, our beloved home of the Explorer, to advance our commitment to exploring, protecting, and illuminating the wonder of our world. Our reimagined Base Camp will be an experience that attracts and engages visitors of all backgrounds and unleashes the Explorer in everyone.
An unprecedented destination for the Explorer in us all
Since 1888, our headquarters in Washington, DC have been the home of our Explorers and center of operations for our staff. When our earliest Explorers returned from their expeditions around the world, they brought back their findings to our campus to share their experience and stories with each other and the public. These on-campus convenings were the beginning of our work to protect and illuminate the wonder of our world, and the beginning of a long-standing tradition that continues at Base Camp well over a century later.
Today we are taking those traditions even further. In the most significant expansion in our history, we are transforming our headquarters into an unprecedented destination that connects the Society headquarters, an expanded museum, and new public spaces.
Get the First Look
Visualizations by REDVERTEX, Copyright (c) 2022 National Geographic Society, based on designs Copyright (c) 2022 Hickok Cole Architects, Inc.
Our new Base Camp will convene global audiences to share in the exciting mission work of National Geographic and everything we have to offer. Base Camp will be a place like none other, where visitors will come to experience stunning imagery and photography, bold storytelling, and learn about the rich discoveries and expeditions of the past, with a watchful eye to the future and protecting our planet. Our new public space will include:
- An expanded museum showcasing engaging exhibitions, iconic photography, and world-famous artifacts
- Cutting-edge, immersive experiences including a “walking dark ride” that will transport visitors onto expeditions with our Explorers to experience fieldwork in diverse, exciting, and remote locations around the world
- An Education Center that will make National Geographic Base Camp a must-do stop in any D.C. school trip and an integral part of the childhood experience
- A renovated theater with cutting-edge technologies and storytelling tools woven into the architecture
- Selections from our legendary archives
- A new public Explorers Bar & Grill for visitors to connect with each other and our Explorers more intimately than ever before
- Awe-inspiring exterior audioscapes and public shows for visitors and passersby
Thank You to our Base Camp Founding Donors
Rolex
Brendan and Helen Bechtel
Katherine and David Bradley
Jean and Steve Case
Jack and Laura Dangermond
Inna and Mark Moore
Nancy E. Pfund and Phillip L. Polakoff
The Roski Family
Join Us
We invite you to join us in this extraordinary journey to build the new home of the Explorer.
To learn more about Base Camp, including how you can support the project and available naming opportunities, please contact [email protected].
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
A Closer Look
Renderings of the reimagined Base Camp experience.
Visualizations by REDVERTEX, Copyright (c) 2022 National Geographic Society, based on designs Copyright (c) 2022 Hickok Cole Architects, Inc.
Regional Offices
- Beijing, China
- Hong Kong SAR, China
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- London, UK
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Seoul, Korea
To achieve our mission, we support, empower, and collaborate with team members all across the globe. In addition to our Base Camp in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Society supports staff in regional offices located in Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.
Sustainability Work
To fulfill our mission, we are dedicated to advancing and modeling innovative, cutting-edge sustainability practices throughout our mission-driven work and business operations. We have developed a number of green initiatives related to water, energy, recycling, and employee programs that are in line with our belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. We ask that our employees, suppliers, licensees, affiliates, and partners live by our Corporate Responsibility Policy and Sustainability Guidelines when producing and distributing any National Geographic-branded products or services. National Geographic activities and services are legally and ethically conducted by treating employees, environments, and cultures with respect.
In our continued commitment to environmental sustainability, we seek local, organic, and sustainably-sourced resources, using recycled and recyclable content when possible, and minimizing waste of energy, water, food, and other resources. All products used in National Geographic activities and services should follow the same high standards as National Geographic branded products.
Photo Credits from top of page: Larry Levine (illustration), Christy Solberg. Below: Michael Nichols, Andy Mann, Paul Nicklen, Ami Vitale, Christian Tryon, Kenneth Garrett, Mark Thiessen.
All visualizations (including header) by REDVERTEX, Copyright (c) 2022 National Geographic Society, based on designs Copyright (c) 2022 Hickok Cole Architects, Inc.